China Travel Checklist

Traveling light is always the wisest way to ease your journey. No one wants to move around with a big chunk of luggage every step of the way. All you need to do is to cut down your checklist by considering what is worth taking and what should be left behind. Check out the ultimate packing list below and get inspiration on how to pack right for a trip to China.

Documents & Paperwork

• Passport with China Visa
• Airline Tickets Confirmation
• Travel Insurance Documents
• Copies of Passport and Visa
• Credit Cards and Some Cash
• A note of Hotel Address and Contacts

Not only you should pack your original passport and visa, should you make several copies of them and place them separately in case of loss. Don't forget to exchange some RMB cash in advance for buying the SIM card or hailing a taxi after arrival at Chinese airports.

Clothes and Wears

• Clothes: layers like hoodies, overcoats, loose pants and long-sleeved shirts for spring and autumn, shorts and T-shirts, dresses for summer, boots and down jackets for winter.
• Shoes: One pair of comfortable and sturdy shoes for walking and hiking, plus an extra pair of flip-flops in summer.
• Socks: Prepare 5-6 pairs of cotton socks
• Underwear: 3-4 pairs
• Swimsuit: a swimsuit for beach cities like Hong Kong and Qingdao

Do check the weather of your travel destination beforehand, and prepare the clothes accordingly. Smart casual clothes are suitable for most occasions, but if evening banquets or shows are included in your tour like a Yangtze River Cruise, you shall have a formal outfit like a suit or a dress. Besides, you ought to get at least one set of fully-covered clothes if your tour involves visits to mosques, temples and monasteries.

Electronics & Accessories

• Phones: You can use your phone to stay connected as prepaid SIM card with data plan is available in China.
• Cameras: You shall have a camera to photograph the amazing sights and things you come across.
• Earphones: Earphones could be handy during a long train or bus trip.
• Battery Chargers: Pack all the battery chargers of your phone, cameras and other electronics.
• Power Converter/Adaptor: Power converter/adaptor is a must-have item for you to charge your devices on Chinese electricity voltage and sockets types.

Electronics are heavy and fragile, so each item should be cut down to one piece. Keep your camera separate with the batteries for the convenience of security check in the airport. Give up on packing a tripod and pack no more than two lenses.

Medication

Your first-aid kit shall include enough drugs for existing sicknesses, such as hypertension diabetes, according to the length of your trip. Besides, it is necessary to pack some medicines for possible common diseases, like cold, fever, insomnia and diarrhea.

Especially if you have a sensitive stomach, there is a big chance you would get unacclimatized to the food of a new place. In addition, do prepare some vitamins and drugs to the altitude sickness if you are going to visit places like Tibet and Qinghai. If necessary, bring your medical history record and prescription, too.

Toiletries and Cosmetics

Nearly all the hotels in China provide shampoo, one-time-use toothbrush and toothpaste for free, but you need to take your own skin-care products like lotion, cream deodorant as well as daily cosmetics. Men are advised to pack their own razor. What's more, bring along some of your own toilet paper, wipes, and hand sanitizer as they usually run out in most Chinese toilets of trains, malls, attractions and restaurants.

Rain Gear and Sun Block

To cope with China diverse climate and weather, it is wise to bring a thin raincoat or an umbrella against a rainy day. Particularly, mountainous attractions like Yellow Mountain and Zhangjiajie get very changeable weather, thus rain gears always comes to handy.

If your tour involves a lot of outdoor sightseeing, for instance, climbing the great wall or hiking in Lhasa, you definitely need to have some sunblock in your checklist. In particular, the summer sun could be really harsh in China, so prepare hats and sunglasses, too.

Eye Mask and Ear Plugs: If you are sensitive to light and noise, get eye mask and ear plugs with you, which would be useful for you to sleep on a ride of train or bus journey.

Feminine Hygiene Products: Women can hardly the western types of hygiene products in China, so you'd better bring your own use.

Coffee Mug: Coffee addicts could pack some coffee mugs in case that you can hardly locate a cafe near the hotel or scenic area.

Insect Repellent: It is necessary to prepare some mosquito repellents in summer especially when you visit places like Yunnan, Guilin, Guizhou and Chengdu.

Luggage Lock: You could have a small luggage lock for backpacks with zipper to secure your staff.

1. Packing lightly is always the first principle. You shall take no more than two pieces of luggage. Usually, a large suitcase plus a backpack are enough for most travelers.
2. Take a daypack or a money belt for your passports, credit cards and cash as well as train tickets, which could be safely attached underneath your clothes.
3. Don't let clothes take too much room in your luggage. You could choose some quick-dry clothes that can be washed in the hotel, and neutral colored additional layers that are easily matched with each other.

4. Rolling your clothes tightly instead of folding them would help to save more space and keep wrinkle-resistant.
5. Leave your jewels and valuables like watches at home in case of loss on the road.
6. The luggage allowance of a Chinese domestic flight is usually 40kg (88lb) for first class, 30kg (66lb) for business class, 20kg (44lb) for economy class. Don't get overloaded to avoid any surcharge.
7. Don't take too many liquids. You can split your skin-care lotion or moisture into small bottles for trip-long use.
8. Leave some real estate for souvenirs and gifts. Most people return home with more than they left with.